American Home Schools

Delaware provides an exemption from their compulsory attendance laws for "any student enrolled in a private school who is receiving regular and thorough instruction in the subjects prescribed for the public schools of the State in a manner suitable to children of the same age and stage of advancement." The statute further provides that private schooling, including "homeschools and homeschool associations" must report yearly to the Department of Education providing the "enrollment, age of pupils and attendance." Homeschoolers may instead opt to report directly to the local superintendent, who "shall determine in writing that the student is or will be provided with regular and thorough instruction in the subjects prescribed for the public schools of the State in a manner suitable to children of the same age and stage of advancement."

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Summary:

1. Decide -- There are many methods of homeschooling. If you've never homeschooled before, it would be a good idea to do some research.

2. Choose -- There are three ways to homeschool in Delaware:

( a ) become a single-family homeschool, responsible for reporting to the state Department of Education (DOE)
( b ) join or form a multi-family homeschool
( c ) homeschool through your local public school superintendent

3. Prepare -- If your children are currently enrolled in a public school, you may wish to write the school principal, advising him/her of your decision, as a courtesy.

4. Proceed -- If you choose to operate a single-family homeschool, you must inform DOE of your intentions.

If you decide to join a multi-family homeschool, you will want to choose a homeschool which suits your family's preferences. Schools have different philosophies and requirements; you may wish to contact several. Once your children are enrolled, the school will handle the reporting.

Oversight by the school district is unnecessary. If you choose, however, to homeschool under the supervision of your local public school superintendent, notify him/her in writing of your intentions.